I ain't Lichen this!

Lichen on a tree - click to enlarge
Photo: www.aboretum.harvard.edu

  I have confirmed with my doctor yesterday that I have Lichen Planus.  It got the name because it looks like the Lichen you see on trees or stones, I don't have that kind because I didn't eat a baseball bat or something.
  This is an auto immune disease that can be treated by not cured; it is not life threatening.  It can be painful or maybe itchy.  It is in my mouth and on my neck and affects two fingernails.  I will receive a medication the apply to my mouth.  I may use an over the counter gel on my neck - itches like the dickens.  Anyway; I'm not Lichen it.

You never know...

....what sleep will bring,
but I'm sure it won't be spring.
I just got up!  Look at the time,
gosh this old guy is way behind.
And please forgive that last line,
he's even forgotten how to rhyme.

The Eyes have it, both ways

In2012 after voting, and after 30 years together
Photo: Stacey Guerin, State Representative

  Today is year 32 and the "ayes" have it.  I am a happily married man.  Yesterday the "eyes" had it and they were examined again.  My eyes are in pretty good shape for their age.  Oh, there's an indication of cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration but I don't foresee any real problems for the near future.
  The machinery those doctors use keeps getting more complex.  For instance the camera used to map the optic nerves isn't too large but you place your chin on one side or the other (depending on R or L eye) and the machinery moves your head on way or the other; it's a bit unnerving.
  Anyway that was just one day in an increasingly long line of days.  I just want to say "I love you" to my lovely wife, Linda.

Stop

Is that a brick wall?
Photo: www.ba-bamail.com

  The United States of America just hit a brick wall.  Republican control of Congress and a Democrat President.  Stop.  Dead standstill.  Enough said.  Well that and Maine just reelected the dumbest son of a bitch in the country.

Why? And not many answers.

Photo;www.pbpp.state.pa.us

  I went down to Bangor yesterday when I got intown I discovered there were no traffic lights and places were closed.  What a freaking mess!  Stop and go, BUT most drivers cooperated.  The City of Bangor Forestry Department has its work cut out, there are trees uprooted, trees broken off at different levels, and some are split.  Electrical Companies are working long, hard hours to restore power but I think this morning close to 100,000 customers are still out.  We here in Levant (only 7 miles out of Bangor are mostly lucky).
  Why is it that only passenger cars have owners that clean snow off the roof?  I saw some dangerous things waiting to happen.  I drove over the remains of ice and snow that had slid off vans, trucks or all sizes and trailers.  Did any of those go through someone's windshield?
  Go forth and vote!  It's important.

There was snow, a lot of it

It was this wet kind of snow
Photo: Linda Grant, March 2014

I was having coffee when the snow came to town
And I had thoughts of just laying back down.
But I stayed and watched all through the day,
As the goldenrod bent over like new mown hay.
It started to add up about half an inch an hour,
It heavy and wet not the nicer dry like flour.
Supposed to gone all through the night,
And let up and end just about daylight.
There'll be no coffee with the other guys,
No thanks from me for the snow laden skies.

We ended with maybe 14 inches of the stuff, probably all frozen now.  I cleaned the car off about 4pm so the yard could be plowed.  Miserable stuff and the first of the season - fall didn't let us down easy.  The birches are all bent over, even some maybe 6 inches through.  It's going to warm up during the week with rain on Thursday at 45 degrees so most of this will be a memory.

Out for half day

Orono Bog Walk in early autumn
Photo: Linda Grant

Google Blogger is uncooperative this morning so the type size and spacing are off, I apologize.  It's one of the most aggravating parts of writing this blog.  It is also a problem that's getting more frequent..  I spent yesterday morning out with Hollie, it went very well, but it's tiring because she talks the entire time and expects me to look at things while driving.  That will not change it's imbedded in the process.  I didn't do much of anything the rest of the day except make some scones and help a little bit with the laundry.  Now the space isn't moving down so I can't see what I'm writing.  Have a good day.